COMPARISON

“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for EVERYTHING, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20

How often do you compare yourself to somebody else?

In the dance world, we get caught into the trap of comparison so easily and all it does it chip away at our confidence. Ballet is a visual art, so I think that  is why it is so easy to compare our bodies and appearance to others. I still struggle with comparison at times in the ballet studio, and in real life.  My tendency is to compare not only my body shape to another dancer’s shape, but my technique to another dancer’s technique. For example, if I start looking around at all the other dancers in the room who can do  thirty-two foutes with ease or a perfect 180 degree split in grand jete, or this beautifully high arabesque, I can feel myself mentally going down a path of defeat and discouragement. Comparing only leads me to doubt my own abilities and strengths. But when I remember that God made each of us unique with special qualities all our own, this quiet confidence shines through and takes over in my heart, and I know I am dancing because God called me to dance. For me, I do not have gumby-like flexibility and I am not a dancer who can do big tricks like five pirouettes in a row or fancy jumps. But I am learning what my strengths are and I have to REMEMBER them, otherwise I can easily get lost in the tangled web of comparison. Comparison chokes the joy out of dancing. Comparison depletes our emotional tank. Comparison steals the fun out of our of dancing and living. It is our natural bent, especially as women to compare. We have this nature that is human and leans toward sin. Our tendency is to focus on ourselves. It is normal to lean this way. But it is not the best way. Christ wants you to lean towards Him so that you have the strength to fight these natural tendencies and therefore live in the freedom that He provides. He wants you to live focused on Him not self. Can you imagine dancing like you did when you were innocent and young, oblivious to the cycle of jealousy and comparing? You can, with His help. Honestly, sometimes entering the ballet studio for me, can feel like stepping into a battlefield. The lies about what I look like and how I dance compared to another start darting at me from all directions. I have tried in my own strength to cope. My coping mechanisms do not work. Jesus says I do not have to do this on my own. He reminds me, sometimes over and over and over, that I can lean on Him in this issue. He wants me to remember to ask Him for help in this detail too. When I ask for His help, I am free to dance. One way He has shown me to get my focus on Him is to thank Him….for every little thing. I want to remind you that you are a beautiful masterpiece of God! Did you know that there is not one other person on this planet that has the same fingerprint as you? I think that is one way God reminds us that He is real and that He cares deeply for each and every one of us.

You are so special and God loves you so much.

Have you asked for His help in your natural tendency to compare yourself to others?

What are you thankful for today?

Prayer: “Dear Lord, You know how I struggle with comparison and jealousy. I need Your divine help. Show me how to stay focused on You and on my own dancing and living.”